Device and method for disengaging conscious brain influence during certain complex athletic movements

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for substantially real time disengaging of undesirable conscious brain influence during a complex athletic movement such as for example a golf swing. A plurality of sensing modules detect movements of an associated body part of a user. A controller is linked to each of the sensing modules and configured to identify a predetermined movement combination with respect to each of the plurality of sensing modules, such as in the golfing example a downswing. Upon identifying the predetermined movement combination, a timer is triggered for tolling of a predetermined time period, and upon lapsing of the time period, a sensory output signal is generated to the user in substantially real time. Through repetition, the conscious brain becomes trained to focus on the desired time period for completion of the complex movement and is disengaged from further interference with other aspects of the movement.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the following patent application(s)which is/are hereby incorporated by reference: None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the neuroanatomy andneurophysiology of complex motor movements. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a device that disengages the rational,conscious brain from interfering with the ability of the user to performcertain aspects of an athletic endeavor such as a golf swing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As an illustrative example within the scope of the present invention,the rational, conscious brain of a person decides to learn a newactivity which involves the learning by that person of complex motormovements. In this example, the activity selected is the sport of golf,which involves a sequence of seemingly simple movements that are inpractice quite complex and can be (as virtually any golfer will attest)exceedingly frustrating to master. A golf club is selected, a ball isplaced on the ground and the pre-motor and motor cortexes become veryinvolved in attempting and (finally, after many, many balls have beenstruck) mastering the swing to a level where it is very repeatable. Atthis point the motor movements involved are transferred to thesubconscious core bellum for execution each time a golf swing isperformed. The swing is repeatable but may not be very effective forhitting the ball straight, or as far or as high as desired, etc.

This is especially true if an activity such as golf is first learned asan adult. The swing is typically executed from start to finish (strikingof the ball) in less than one and a half seconds, which is far too fastfor any sensory feedback. What the rational, conscious brain would liketo do is get the pre-motor and motor cortexes involved again to changethe swing and get the desired results, but it cannot because it does notknow exactly what it wants changed, and neither do the pre-motor andmotor cortexes. In other words, for a person to say that they want tostop “slicing” the ball is to desire a change in the result of the swingitself as subconsciously imprinted, not some part of the swing that isrationally and consciously adjusted through post-facto feedback.

Briefly stated, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention asystem and method are provided for substantially real time disengagingof undesirable conscious brain influence during a complex athleticmovement such as for example a golf swing. A plurality of sensingmodules detect movements of an associated body part of a user. Acontroller is linked to each of the sensing modules and configured toidentify a predetermined movement combination with respect to each ofthe plurality of sensing modules, such as in the golfing example adownswing. Upon identifying the predetermined movement combination, atimer is triggered for tolling of a predetermined time period, and uponlapsing of the time period, a sensory output signal is generated to theuser in substantially real time.

Through repetition, the conscious brain becomes trained to focus on thedesired time period for completion of the complex movement and issubstantially disengaged from further interference with other aspects ofthe movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an embodiment of a system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing an exemplary method for a controllerof the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representing an exemplary sub-process within thescope of the method of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4( a) to 4(f) are a sequence of front views representing anexemplary sequence of detected movement combinations for a user of thesystem of FIG. 1 in various stages of a golf swing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing another exemplary method for acontroller of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take atleast the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextdictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarilylimit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms.The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, andthe meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in oneembodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment, although it may.

The present disclosure relates in various aspects to the principles oftraining the cerebellum to perform complex motor skills automaticallyand without conscious interference by the cerebral cortex, exemplarysupport for which may be found in various passages from “The Brain: ANeuroscience Primer” by Richard F. Thompson and “Medical Neuroscience”by Thomas C. Pritchard and Kevin Douglas Alloway, herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

Briefly stated, experiments indicate that the motor areas in thecerebral cortex (e.g., the primary motor cortex and pre-motor cortex)play a key role in the learning of complex motor skills, but that thepermanent memory for well-learned complex motor skills appears to bestored in the cerebellum. These results agree with common experiences inlearning a complex motor skill such as for example a golf swing.Initially, we concentrate awareness on every aspect of the movement,massively involving the cerebral cortex. As learning proceeds, the golfswing becomes more and more automatic—we become much less aware of themovement components. Finally, when the swing is very well-learned, itsexecution is best performed without awareness (i.e., via thecerebellum).

Indeed, if we try to think about the movements as the swing occurs, thisinterferes with the swing itself. For example, the golfer thatdetermines his hands need to be in a certain position at the top of thebackswing may concentrate on moving his hands to the detriment of otheraspects of the swing. It is as though the cerebral cortex now interfereswith cerebellar involvement in execution of the movements.

A series of studies which may be particularly relevant here, asconducted in Japan by Okihide Hikosaka and associates, monkeys weretrained over an extended period of time to perform simple tasks, some ofwhich were well learned at the end of the extended period and others ofwhich were just being learned. A critical region of the pre-motor cortexfor the monkeys was temporarily rendered inactive by administering asmall amount of the drug muscimol. During this experiment tasks whichwere still being learned by the monkeys were markedly impaired inperformance, but there was no such effect on the performance ofwell-learned tasks. The inverse was true when the experiment wasconducted by inactivating a critical region of the cerebellum (theinterpositus cerebellar nucleus), at which time the performance ofwell-learned tasks was markedly impaired but there was no such effect ontasks which were still being learned at the time.

One takeaway cited from these experiments is that while the pre-motorcortex is heavily involved in the preliminary stages of actuallylearning complex motor movements, such as for example a golf swing orequivalent athletic sequence of movements, the cerebellum is where therelevant memory traces are stored when the complex motor movementsbecome well-learned. Therefore, whereas learning a complex motormovement such as for example a golf swing requires a degree of focus andconcentration of the pre-motor cortex, ideally a well-learned golf swingwould be substantially an automatic movement orchestrated by thecerebellum, with conscious (i.e., originating in the cerebral cortex)manipulation of the swing being generally counterproductive. Afteradopting a new golf swing, it is necessary to practice until thecerebellum assumes control of the associated movements and executes themautomatically.

Another important principle with regards to the present invention isthat post facto feedback correction of errors with respect to complexmotor movements does not effectively cause the cerebellum to assumecontrol of the movements. In contrast to feedback control theory, inwhich a controller relies on feedback of a controlled variable andresponds to adjust for measured results, a feed-forward controlproactively addresses conditions that may be anticipated rather thanrelying on delayed feedback and provides guidance based on learnedbehavior. In a predictive feed-forward-type mode, the cerebellumtherefore may effectively guide movements that take place far tooquickly to benefit from post facto feedback (i.e., a golf swing). Forexample, the process of swinging a golf club takes place in a timeperiod too brief to benefit from sensory feedback. Proper execution ofsuch rapid movements therefore depends primarily on past experience andthe associated predictive effects of imprinted and habitual motorsequences.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, various embodiments of systems,devices and methods may be described herein for assisting (i.e.,beneficially engaging or alternatively disengaging) the rational,conscious brain of a user in improving the ability of the user toperform certain aspects of an athletic endeavor such as a golf swing. Toget the pre-motor and motor cortex involved again in changing the swing,or motor movement, the conscious brain must have a very specificmovement change to be accomplished and the conscious brain must furtherknow in substantially real-time if the change has been made for eachindividual swing or motor movement. Where the various figures maydescribe embodiments sharing various common elements and features withother embodiments, similar elements and features are given the samereference numerals and redundant description thereof may be omittedbelow.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take atleast the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextdictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarilylimit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms.The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, andthe meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in oneembodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment, although it may.

An exemplary embodiment of a system 100 as represented in FIG. 1 maygenerally include a controller device 112 having a processor 114, one ormore memory media 116, a communications device 118 for sending andreceiving signals to and from associated movement sensing modules 124,an I/O module 120 and a timer 122.

The communications device 118 may in various embodiments be a dedicateddevice effective to communicate directly with the sensing modules 124via a communications network 136, while the I/O module 120 may beeffective to send and receive associated signals via a separate networkor via user selectable switches or the like physically located on ahousing associated with the controller 112. Alternatively, thecommunications device 118 and I/O module 120 may both communicate acrossthe same network and intermediary devices, such as for example where asingle user computing device may include a mobile application effectiveto collect, combine, coordinate and transmit sensed movement signals andalso I/O signals to the controller, and the communications device 118and I/O module 120 may further be integral in structural design if notwith respect to their respective functional aspects.

The term “signal” as used herein may include any meanings as may beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art, including at least anelectric or magnetic representation of current, voltage, charge,temperature, data or a state of one or more memory locations asexpressed on one or more transmission mediums, and generally capable ofbeing transmitted, received, stored, compared, combined or otherwisemanipulated in any equivalent manner.

Terms such as “providing,” “processing,” “supplying,” “determining,”“calculating” or the like may refer at least to an action of a computersystem, computer program, signal processor, logic or alternative analogor digital electronic device that may be transformative of signalsrepresented as physical quantities, whether automatically or manuallyinitiated.

The term “controller” as used herein may refer to at least a generalmicroprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), adigital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmablegate array, or various alternative blocks of discrete circuitry as knownin the art, designed to perform functions as further defined herein.

“Memory media” may further include without limitation transmission mediaand/or storage media. “Storage media” may refer in an equivalent mannerto volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media,including at least dynamic memory, application specific integratedcircuits (ASIC), chip memory devices, optical or magnetic disk memorydevices, flash memory devices, or any other medium which may be used tostored data in a processor-accessible manner, and may unless otherwisestated either reside on a single computing platform or be distributedacross a plurality of such platforms. “Transmission media” may includeany tangible media effective to permit processor-executable software,instructions or program modules residing on the media to be read andexecuted by a processor, including without limitation wire, cable,fiber-optic and wireless media such as is known in the art.

The term “processor” as used herein may refer to at leastgeneral-purpose or specific-purpose processing devices and/or logic asmay be understood by one of skill in the art, including but not limitedto single- or multithreading processors, central processors, parentprocessors, graphical processors, media processors, and the like.

The term “communications network” as used herein with respect to datacommunication between two or more parties or otherwise betweencommunications network interfaces associated with two or more partiesmay refer to any one of, or a combination of any two or more of,telecommunications networks (whether wired, wireless, cellular or thelike), a global network such as the Internet, local networks, networklinks, Internet Service Providers (ISP's), and intermediatecommunication interfaces.

The sensing modules 124 as represented include a movement sensor 128, aprocessor 130, a memory medium 132 and a communications device 134.However, in various embodiments certain of the components representedmay be redundant, where for example signals from the movement sensor maybe transmitted directly to the controller 112 without any collecting,temporary storing, filtering, etc., as may otherwise be performedlocally using the additional components in manners well known to thoseof skill in the art.

The sensing modules 124 may further be configured to be positioned onpredetermined locations associated with a user 126 so as to communicatemovements of the person as determined by sensed positions of the moduleswith respect to each other. In FIG. 1, first and second sensing modules124 a, 124 b are indicated as being positioned on the right hip andright shoulder of the user 126, respectively, and such description willgenerally be used consistently in this disclosure, but is in no wayintended as limiting on the scope of the present invention and variousalternative embodiments are anticipated with regards to the number ofsensing modules 124, associated positions on a user's body, andcombinations thereof.

The sensing modules 124 in an exemplary embodiment may individually beformed by for example acceleration sensors as are known in the art fordetecting linear acceleration in a plurality of directions (along aplurality of axes in accordance with the configuration of theaccelerometer) and output signals from which in combination with anappropriate signal processing unit may be used to determine tilt,rotation or position of the corresponding sensor. Dual- and (morepreferably) triple-axis linear accelerometers as previously known in theart and which may be used by the system of the present invention includethose for example manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. or bySTMicroelectronics, N.V. In other exemplary embodiments, the sensingmodules 124 may be formed by a gyro-sensor or equivalent sensingtechnology utilizing rotating or vibrating elements, further examples ofwhich are available from Analog Devices, Inc. The processes necessary todetect tilt, movement or position of the individual sensing modules, andfurther to detect position or movement combinations of a user havingsuch modules located on their person, vary depending on the type ofsensor used. Additional detail regarding linear acceleration sensors andgyro-sensors as embodied within a position detection controller isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,834,848 as assigned to Nintendo Co., Ltd.,and relevant portions of which are hereby incorporated by reference, butwithout being limiting thereby with regards to the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a method 200 may be described in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention. The method may begin(step 202) by identifying one or more predetermined expected movementsequences. For the purposes of this description, the movement sequencesmay be related to a golf swing, and more particularly to a desiredsequence of movements as represented in FIG. 4 and further describedbelow. Some exemplary support for this selection of movement sequencesmay be provided by Dr. Ralph Mann and Fred Griffin in “Swing Like aPro,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein, but itmay be understood that a substantially different sequence of movementsmay likely be predetermined in accordance with the present inventionrelating to a different athletic movement, and even with respect to agolf swing in accordance with golf instructors of varying teachingperspectives. In various embodiments a number of expected movementsequences may for example be programmed in a memory medium andselectable depending on the type of athletic movement, or a plurality ofmemory media may individually be programmable with a given sequence.Whether selected by a user from a plurality of available sequences, orwhere a single sequence is available, the system may generally be ableto therefore identify a sequence to which actual movements may becompared.

The method 200 further involves (step 204) identifying a predeterminedoutput mode. As with step 202 as described above, the output mode may invarious embodiments be programmed and non-selectable, or may beuser-selectable from a plurality of mode options. Generally speaking,the output mode may determine the format in which sensory output signalsare to be provided by the system in response to measured movementcombinations and in relation to the predetermined sequence of movementcombinations. For example, a user may elect to receive sensory outputsignals for any one or more movement combinations from a list ofmovement combinations, and may elect to have the output signals providedwhen the movement combinations are carried out either correctly orincorrectly. In an embodiment, the user may select an output mode inwhich the system measures a first movement combination in a golf swing,and generates a first logic state (e.g., a zero (0)) when the movementcombination is performed correctly (or adequately), and a second logicstate (e.g., a one (1)) when the movement combination is performedincorrectly, wherein the system generates a sensory feedback signal(audio, vibration, etc.) for either of the first or second logic state)as further set as part of the output mode. The logic one and logic zeromay further be embodied by or otherwise correspond to output states forany number of I/O structures, such as for example open and closed relaypositions, respectively, or duty cycle adjustment for a pulse widthmodulated output signal. It may be desirable to have the system providesensory output signals for any movement combination in the entiresequence that is performed incorrectly, or alternatively it may bedesirable to have the system only respond when all of the movementcombinations are performed correctly, and as may be understood by one ofskill in the art the possibilities for the output modes may varydramatically in accordance with the user needs and the type of athleticmovements contemplated.

It may in an embodiment be further desirable to have the system providevarying types or degrees of sensory output signals for any individualmovement which is outside of a predetermined tolerance for an expectedcorrelating movement. In such a case, where for example a first andsecond sensor combination is used (S1, S2, respectively), instead ofproviding a particular output for S1 AND S2 being correct in view of apredetermined movement combination or S1 NOR S2 being correct in view ofthe predetermined movement combination, the system may for exampleprovide a first output type or degree for S1 AND S2, a second outputtype or degree for S1 OR S2, and a third output type or degree for S1NOR S2.

The system further (in step 206) identifies a start position for theuser. This may in various embodiments include determining that the useris in a predetermined starting position (such as for example standing onor proximate a stationary sensor), or receiving a manually providedinput signal as a start trigger, or even determining that the user hasbeen in a predetermined starting position (e.g., determined relative tothe movement sensors) for a period of time greater than a threshold timeperiod. In a particular embodiment, the system may receive an inputsignal in the form of a verbal command that initiates detection ofmovement combinations in accordance with the identified predeterminedmovement combinations (i.e., enters a startup mode). The actual form ofthe start trigger may not be intended as limiting on the scope of thepresent invention, however.

Once the system has entered startup mode, the controller begins (in step208) receiving input signals from the movement sensing modules and anyother sensing modules which may be used in various embodiments, such asfor example sensors to detect weight shifts, head movement, feetspacing, etc, and then (in step 210) begins detecting movementcombinations based on the processed input signals. In some embodimentsthe input signals from the sensing modules may be “raw” data which isprocessed in the controller to determine positions of the sensors, forexample where the movement combinations are relative to a remote pointsuch as a stationary sensor. Alternatively, the positions may be atleast partially processed internally to the respective sensing modulessuch that the input signals themselves are representative of movementwith respect to respective axes.

For exemplary purposes only this description may refer to input signalsfrom the sensing modules representative of a movement along either of anx- or y-axis (i.e., left-to-right for a right-handed golfer andright-to-left for a left-handed golfer) and of rotation about a z-axis(i.e., about an axis roughly correlating to the torso of the golfer fromhead-to-foot), wherein the controller is configured to determine whetherpredetermined tolerances for each movement combination are met andtherefore the movement combination confirmed (step 212). If for examplea first movement combination requires that both of first and secondsensing modules detect a movement along one axis (i.e., fromleft-to-right for a right-handed golfer) as in FIG. 4( b), thecontroller may receive input signals representing movement in theappropriate direction and of a certain magnitude, and compare themagnitude and direction to parameters (i.e., tolerances for magnitudeand direction) associated with an expected first movement combination inorder to determine that the first movement combination has beenperformed properly.

In various embodiments a timer may be used during this step as well,such as for example where one or more of the expected movementcombinations include a time period during or by which the movementcombination is to be performed. This is primarily the case for a“launch” movement combination, as will be further described below inrelation to an embodiment where the conscious brain is to be focused onthe launching aspect and disengaged from other aspects of the athleticmovement generally, but may apply in other movement combinations as wellwhere desired by the user or system operator.

Where the expected movement combination has been determined to beperformed correctly (or incorrectly) the system may then generate asensory output signal to the user if the identified output mode sorequires (step 214). For example, if the user has selected an outputmode that provides sensory output (audio, vibration, etc.) only if thefirst movement combination is done incorrectly, the system would donothing if the movement combination has been determined as performedcorrectly, but instead generate an output signal in substantiallyreal-time to an external device capable of providing the desired sensoryeffect if the movement combination was performed incorrectly. If theuser instead selected an output mode that provides sensory output onlywhere all of the movement combinations are performed correctly in thepredetermined sequence, then the system would do nothing in either caseunless the movement combination just performed was the last in thesequence (e.g., where the first movement combination has been determinedas performed correctly, or the movement combination was performedincorrectly).

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a more particular exemplary method 300of the present invention is presented with respect to a golf swing.Various aspects of the golf swing are not explicitly described herein(e.g., the grip, setup, etc.) as the effect of the conscious brain isrelatively less disruptive than during the swing itself, but it may beunderstood that additional sensors may be provided for measuringmovement or position in these other areas by a device or system withinthe scope of the present invention. While four movement combinations areherein described as a predetermined sequence of movement combinations,more or fewer combinations may foreseeably be used, and furthermore itmay be understood that the movement combinations described herein maynot be universal in application with regards to the golf swing itselfand may be differently configured within the scope of the presentinvention. While a logic one and logic zero in the method 300represented in FIG. 3 refer to incorrect and correct detected movementcombinations with respect to expected movement combinations,respectively, the opposite may in various embodiments be the case. Also,the predetermined movement combinations represented in FIG. 3 aredescribed with respect to a right-handed golfer, and may be merelyinverted in direction with respect to a left-handed golfer.

Beginning with step 302, the golf swing includes a first predeterminedmovement combination from a starting position (402 in FIG. 4( a))wherein a first sensing module (S1, located for example on the right hipof the golfer) is expected to move back, or in other words fromleft-to-right, and a second sensing module (S2, located for example onthe right shoulder of the golfer), is also expected to move back. Seefor example movement combination 404 in FIG. 4( b). In this way thesystem may confirm that at least the measured portions of the body ofthe golfer are properly shifting laterally at the same time and, atleast theoretically unless sensors are also placed on the feet,confirming that weight is shifting from the front (left) foot to theback (right) foot. The tolerances set for determining that the movementis taking place may generally be relatively small, as only a few inchesfrom left-to-right may be sufficient in various embodiments to satisfythe first step.

If the expected movement combination for the two sensing modules(S1=Back and S2=Back) is not detected (i.e., “NO” in response to thequery in step 302) the controller in step 304 a generates a logic zerooutput state (OUT=0). If the expected movement combination for the twosensing modules is detected, however, (i.e., “YES” in response to thequery in step 302) the controller in step 304 b generates a logic oneoutput state (OUT=1) and then continues with the process. Whether or notthe output state results in a sensory output signal may generally dependon the predetermined output mode as previously described with respect toFIG. 2.

A second predetermined movement combination (step 306) includes thefirst sensing module S1 rotating clockwise with respect to if notnecessarily directly about a vertical axis roughly corresponding to thetorso of the golfer, and more particularly with the right leg of thegolfer although it may be understood that systems in accordance with thepresent invention may adequately function without being so precise, andthe second sensing module S2 is also expected to rotate clockwise. Seefor example movement combination 406 in FIG. 4( c). In some embodimentsthe second predetermined movement combination may further require thatno additional lateral movement (i.e., from front-to-back) is detectedduring this phase, as continued shifting of the body may dramaticallyimpede recovery during the downswing.

If the expected movement combination for the two sensing modules (S1=CWand S2=CW) is not detected (i.e., “NO” in response to the query in step306) the controller in step 308 a generates a logic zero output state(OUT=0). If the expected movement combination for the two sensingmodules is detected, however, (i.e., “YES” in response to the query instep 306) the controller in step 308 b generates a logic one outputstate (OUT=1) and then continues with the process. Whether or not theoutput state results in a sensory output signal may generally depend onthe predetermined output mode as previously described with respect toFIG. 2.

A third predetermined movement combination (step 310) includes the firstsensing module S1 continuing to rotate clockwise as with the previousmovement combination, but the second sensing module S2 is expected toreverse direction and to rotate counter-clockwise. See for examplemovement combination 408 in FIG. 4( d). In certain embodiments wheresensors are further located on the feet of the golfer, the thirdmovement combination may require that both feet be on the ground duringthis phase and may further or alternatively require a weight shift fromthe right (back) heel to the left (front) foot. The third expectedmovement combination may further or alternatively require for examplethat both sensing modules detect a reversal in lateral movement duringthe third phase to the opposite direction from the first phase (i.e.,back-to-front). This third phase may generally provide a stable base ofsupport in the lower body of the golfer for the unwinding of the upperbody of the golfer to take place in the fourth phase.

If the expected movement combination for the two sensing modules (S1=CCWand S2=CW) is not detected (i.e., “NO” in response to the query in step310) the controller in step 312 a generates a logic zero output state(OUT=0). If the expected movement combination for the two sensingmodules is detected, however, (i.e., “YES” in response to the query instep 310) the controller in step 312 b generates a logic one outputstate (OUT=1) and then continues with the process. Whether or not theoutput state results in a sensory output signal may generally depend onthe predetermined output mode as previously described with respect toFIG. 2.

The fourth predetermined movement combination (step 314) includes thefirst sensing module 51 reversing in direction and now rotatingcounter-clockwise to join the expected rotational movement of the secondsensing module S2. See for example movement combination 410 in FIG. 4(e). If the expected movement combination for the two sensing modules(S1=CCW and S2=CCW) is not detected (i.e., “NO” in response to the queryin step 314) the controller in step 316 a generates a logic zero outputstate (OUT=0). If the expected movement combination for the two sensingmodules is detected, however, (i.e., “YES” in response to the query instep 314) the controller in step 316 b generates a logic one outputstate (OUT=1) and then continues with the process. Whether or not theoutput state results in a sensory output signal may generally depend onthe predetermined output mode as previously described with respect toFIG. 2.

Various embodiments of a system in accordance with the present inventionso described may be configured differently depending on the desiredeffect. For example, an embodiment of the present invention thatincluded steps 302 to 316 as described above may effectively be used tobeneficially engage the conscious brain and improve the golf swingthrough repetition and training by providing sensory feedback insubstantially real-time rather than relying on post-facto feedback anderror correction. In another embodiment, additional steps as describedbelow may be effective to disengage the conscious brain during thedownswing so as to reduce or prevent conscious attempts to influenceaspects of the swing as would otherwise be originating from thecerebellum. While a system or device of the present invention may becapable of performing in accordance with both embodiments, it maygenerally be desirable to only perform those steps associated with oneembodiment at a given time. Alternatively, the system may be configuredsuch that only one of the embodiments may be selected and therebyeffective at a given time.

Upon detecting of the fourth movement combination (S1=CCW and S2=CCW),the controller may start a timer or otherwise stated begin tolling apredetermined time period associated with the fourth movementcombination (step 318). Upon lapsing of the time period (i.e., “YES” inresponse to the query of step 320) the controller generates a logic oneoutput state (OUT=1). In certain embodiments this may actually be alogic zero output state depending on the output mode, but generally thecontroller is configured to generate a sensory output signal from theI/O upon lapsing of the time period. Briefly stated, after sufficientrepetition the conscious brain becomes attuned to the sensory output atthe predetermined time period corresponding to the fourth predeterminedmovement combination (the downswing) and focuses on this time period tothe exclusion of the other (and more disadvantageous) aspects of theswing that the conscious brain would otherwise be wont to influence.

In an alternative embodiment, the controller may be further configuredto detect completion of the fourth movement combination, determine anactual time of completion for the fourth movement combination, comparethe actual time of completion to the predetermined time period, andgenerate a sensory output signal depending on the comparison and apredetermined sensory output mode. For example, a sensory output may beprovided when the actual time of completion is less than or greater thanthe predetermined time period, or outside of a time period range aboutthe predetermined time period.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a method 500 in accordance with the presentinvention may apply more generally to a range of complex athleticmovements including not only to a golf swing but further to a baseballswing, baseball pitch, football pass, hockey slap shot, soccer kick,etc., so as to beneficially engage the conscious brain. The method 500still detects movement combinations with respect to sensing modules, andsequentially compares the detected movement combinations with expectedmovement combinations, but the phases may be defined more broadly. Invarious embodiments, a number of athletic movements may be programmedinto a common controller and selectable by the user as desired.

For exemplary purposes, the method 500 may be described herein withrespect to both of a baseball pitch and the golf swing as described ingreater detail above.

In step 502, the controller detects a “takeaway” (or windup) movement bythe user. As with the first and second phases of the golf swing (seeFIGS. 4( b) and 4(c)) the takeaway in principle may similarly apply tothe baseball pitch as the pitcher laterally shifts weight away from thetarget (the batter) and rotates the shoulders in a clockwise manner.

The controller then in step 504 detects a “transition” movement whichcorresponds with the third phase of the golf swing (see FIG. 4( d)). Thepitcher here begins to rotate the trunk of the body toward the batterwhile the right arm remains back or even continues rotating clockwise.For a moment the baseball may even be completely stationary with respectto the ground even though the remainder of the pitcher's body isrotating sharply toward the batter.

The controller then in step 506 detects a “launch” movement (not to beconfused with release) which corresponds with the fourth phase of thegolf swing (the downswing, see FIG. 4( e)) and may (where applicable)start the timer in step 508. The pitcher here begins rotating theshoulder of the right (pitching) arm counter-clockwise and toward thebatter generally.

In an optional step, the system may include sensors effective to detectcontact with or release of a ball that is the object of the athleticmovement (step 510). The controller may accordingly be configured todetermine an actual time of completion for the “launch” step fromtransition to contact/release, compare the actual time of completion tothe predetermined time period, and generate a sensory output signaldepending on the comparison and a predetermined sensory output mode. Forexample, a sensory output may be provided when the actual time ofcompletion is less than or greater than the predetermined time period,or outside of a time period range about the predetermined time period.

In certain embodiments the controller may be provided with an automaticsensory output mode (i.e., “YES” in response to the query in step 512),in which case the controller generates a sensory output signal uponlapsing of a predetermined time period from the tolling of the timer.

In embodiments where the controller is not provided with an automaticsensory output mode (i.e., “NO” in response to the query in step 512),whether or not the sensory output signal is provided by the controllermay depend on an output state associated with the performance of theexpected movement combinations (step 516). For each movement combinationassociated with the predetermined output state (which may for example beany one or more of the available movement combinations or alternativelythe entire sequence upon completion) the controller may generate (instep 518) a first output state where the detected movement combinationsare not in accordance with the expected movement combinations and anyassociated tolerances or other parameters (i.e., “NO” in response to thequery in step 516). Likewise, the controller may generate (in step 520)a second output state where the detected movement combinations are inaccordance with the expected movement combinations and any associatedtolerances or other parameters (i.e., “YES” in response to the query instep 516).

The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes ofillustration and description. Thus, although there have been describedparticular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful“Device and Method for Disengaging Conscious Brain Influence DuringCertain Complex Athletic Movements,” it is not intended that suchreferences be construed as limitations upon the scope of this inventionexcept as set forth in the following claims.

1. A system for substantially real-time cognitive training of a userwith respect to the performance of complex athletic movements, thesystem comprising: a plurality of sensing modules, each sensing modulecomprising a movement sensor and effective to detect movement of anassociated body part of the user; and a controller devicecommunicatively linked to each of the sensing modules and effective toidentify initiation of a predetermined movement combination with respectto each of the plurality of sensing modules, upon identifying initiationof the predetermined movement combination, to trigger a timer fortolling of a predetermined time period, said predetermined time periodcorresponding to an expected time period for performing thepredetermined movement combination; and upon lapsing of the time period,to generate a sensory output signal comprising an audio or a vibrationoutput signal to the user in substantially real time.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, the controller further effective to detect completion of thepredetermined movement combination, compare a measured actual time ofthe predetermined movement combination to the predetermined time periodas a threshold time, and generate the sensory output signal based on acomparison result of the measured actual time of the predeterminedmovement combination with respect to the predetermined time period andfurther on a predetermined sensory output mode.
 3. The system of claim2, the predetermined sensory output mode comprising a first mode inwhich the controller automatically generates a sensory output signal insubstantially real time upon lapsing of the predetermined time period,and a second mode in which the controller generates a sensory outputsignal in substantially real time based on the comparison result and auser selectable threshold parameter.
 4. The system of claim 3, the userselectable threshold parameter comprising any one of a detectedcompletion time less than the predetermined time period, a detectedcompletion time greater than the predetermined time period, or adetected completion time outside of a predetermined range about thepredetermined time period.
 5. The system of claim 1, the controllereffective to identify initiation of the predetermined movementcombination of the plurality of sensing modules beginning from astarting position established by the controller.
 6. The system of claim1, the controller effective to identify initiation the predeterminedmovement combination of the plurality of sensing modules after anexternal start signal is received by the controller.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, the sensing modules comprising a linear accelerometer and awireless transmitting device.
 8. The system of claim 1, the sensingmodules comprising a gyro-meter and a wireless transmitting device.9-14. (canceled)
 15. A system for substantially real time disengagingundesirable conscious brain influence during a golf swing, the systemcomprising: a first sensing module comprising a first movement sensorand configured for positioning in association with a first body part ofthe user, and effective to detect movement of said first body part andto generate first signals representative of the detected movement; asecond sensing module comprising a second movement sensor configured forpositioning in association with a second body part of the user, andeffective to detect movement of said second body part and to generatesecond signals representative of the detected movement; and a controllerdevice communicatively linked to the first and second sensing modulesand effective to receive the first and second signals from the first andsecond sensing modules, respectively, to detect initiation of apredetermined movement combination with respect to the first and secondsignals, upon identifying initiation of the predetermined movementcombination, to trigger a timer for tolling of a predetermined timeperiod, said predetermined time period corresponding to an expected timeperiod for performing the predetermined movement combination, in a firstpredetermined sensory output mode, to automatically generate a sensoryoutput signal comprising an audio or a vibration output signal to theuser in substantially real time upon lapsing of the predetermined timeperiod, and in a second predetermined sensory output mode, to detectcompletion of the predetermined movement combination, compare a measuredactual time of the predetermined movement combination to thepredetermined time period as a threshold time, and generate a sensoryoutput signal comprising an audio or a vibration output signal to theuser in substantially real time based on a comparison result of ameasured actual time of the predetermined movement combination to thepredetermined time period and further on a user selectable thresholdparameter.
 16. The system of claim 15, the user selectable thresholdparameter comprising any one of a detected completion time less than thepredetermined time, a detected completion time greater than thepredetermined time, or a detected completion time outside of apredetermined range about the predetermined time.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, the controller effective to detect completion of thepredetermined movement combination in association with contacting by theuser of a golf ball.
 18. The system of claim 15, the controllereffective to identify initiation of the predetermined movementcombination of the plurality of sensing modules beginning from astarting position established by the controller.
 19. The system of claim15, the controller effective to identify initiation of the predeterminedmovement combination of the plurality of sensing modules after anexternal start signal is received by the controller.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein for a right-handed user the first sensing module isconfigured for positioning on or around the waist of the user and thesecond sensing module is configured for positioning on the rightshoulder of the user, the predetermined movement combination associatedwith the golf swing further comprising a counter-clockwise rotation ofboth the first and second sensing modules following a period ofclockwise rotation of the second sensing module.
 21. A device forsubstantially real-time cognitive training of a user with respect to theperformance of complex athletic movements, said device comprising aprocessor and one or more non-transitory processor-readable memory mediahaving program instructions residing thereon, said program instructionsexecutable by the processor to direct the performance of: receivingfirst and second input signals from a respective first and secondsensing modules each further comprising movement sensors, the inputsignals representative of movement of a respective body part of a user;detecting initiation of a predetermined movement combination of thefirst and second output signals; upon detecting initiation of saidpredetermined combination, triggering a timer for tolling of apredetermined time period, said predetermined time period correspondingto an expected time period for performing the predetermined movementcombination; and generating a sensory output signal comprising an audioor a vibration output signal to the user in concert with lapsing of thepredetermined time period.
 22. The device of claim 21, the programinstructions further executable to direct the performance of: detectingcompletion of the predetermined movement combination; comparing ameasured actual time of the predetermined movement combination to thepredetermined time period as a threshold time; and generating thesensory output signal based on a comparison result of the measuredactual time of the predetermined movement combination with respect tothe predetermined time period, and on a predetermined sensory outputmode.
 23. The device of claim 22, the step of generating the sensoryoutput signal based on the comparison result and on a predeterminedsensory output mode further comprising in a first predetermined sensoryoutput mode automatically generating a sensory output signal in concertwith lapsing of the predetermined time period, and in a second sensoryoutput mode generating a sensory output signal based on the comparisonand a user selectable threshold parameter.
 24. The device of claim 23,the user selectable threshold parameter comprising any one of a detectedcompletion time less than the predetermined time period, a detectedcompletion time greater than the predetermined time period, or adetected completion time outside of a predetermined range about thepredetermined time period.
 25. The device of claim 21, furthercomprising detecting the predetermined movement combination of theplurality of sensing modules beginning from a determined startingposition.
 26. The device of claim 21, further comprising identifying thepredetermined movement combination of the plurality of sensing modulesafter receiving an external start signal.